Schools lose teachers, students sitting idle

SRINAGAR: The mass transfer of teachers ordered by the Director of School Education four days ago has disrupted the education of students. In most of the schools where teachers have been transferred out, students are sitting idle because new teachers have not yet joined their posting.
In Batingo Higher Secondary School (HSS), teachers of Math, Accountancy, Botany, and Entrepreneurship have been transferred out but their replacements have not arrived.
“Our school has been much affected since the transfers were ordered. No one here is taking classes,” a senior teacher, on condition of anonymity, told Kashmir Reader.
Similarly in HSS Dangerpora, teachers of Chemistry, Urdu and Zoology have not been replaced yet. Abdul Rashed, the school principal, told Kashmir Reader that only one teacher of the four transferred to the school has joined duties.
“Transfers have badly affected my school. The problem is hitting the students badly because these subjects cannot be taught by general teachers. The students are sitting idle. I have done what I could in my capacity as the principal to manage the problem, but it has helped little,” Rashed said.
The government had ordered the transfer of more than 6,000 teachers in a 343-page order just a day before schools reopened after winter vacations. Scores of teachers have since visited the director’s office in a bid to stop, modify or get a transfer of their liking.
In its order, the government has also transferred scores of teachers who have only a few months of service left, as well as those who had not yet completed the mandatory two years of posting at a school.
Female teachers who have children of less than two-and-a half years of age and who are to be given special concession as per the transfer policy have also figured in the list. Many such teachers have been coming every day to the director of school education’s office with their babies and their birth certificates showing their age.
Functioning of schools has also been affected by the delay in appointment of contractual teachers. Posts advertised nearly a month ago for contractual teachers are yet to be filled. It seems that the appointment of contractual teachers will take more time as the selected candidates have not yet been declared.
Earlier, Education Minister Altaf Bukhari had told Kashmir Reader that the transfer orders of teachers with genuine grievances and orders not in accord with the transfer policy would be re-considered.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz has been a correspondent at Kashmir Reader since 2014. He has been reporting in Kashmir since 2010 and has worked with many regional newspapers and magazines. He has also written for contrbutoria.com, a division of The Guardian newspaper.

Subscribe by Email

Search in Archive

Select a MonthSelect a CategorySearch with Google

Stay with us

About

Launched in May 2012, Kashmir Reader is one of the leading English language newspapers of Jammu and Kashmir. It’s published daily from Srinagar by Helpline Group, which earned a name and fame in serious journalism

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy